The new Chetak has been launched at Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom Pune and Bengaluru). The Indian brand’s first all-electric scooter is one of the most anticipated launches of 2020 and its bookings open tomorrow. The e-scooter is available in two variants – the base-spec Urbane and the Premium, which costs Rs 1.15 lakh.
The Premium model gets additional metallic colour options, a dark/light tan seat, metallic-coloured wheels and a disc brake at the front. The Urbane model, meanwhile, misses out on the metallic colour option and uses a drum brake at the front.
The first units of the e-scooter will be delivered in Pune and Bengaluru – at least initially, before it is made available in major metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. The Chetak will be sold via existing KTM outlets. The booking process is fully digital and it opens on the company's website at noon tomorrow at a booking cost of Rs 2,000 on the company’s website. The company has set-up 13 dealerships in Bengaluru and four dealers in Pune. There is also a customer centre in Pune for buyers to experience and test ride the Chetak – but it can’t be bought from there. Test-ride scooters will reach dealers by the end of this month.
The new Chetak is powered by a 3.8kW/4.1kW (continuous/peak power) electric motor, which sends power to the rear wheel via a unique automated transmission. The company has said that its Intuitive Kick Down Mode will supply an additional surge of power when required. This motor derives power from a lithium-ion battery pack that claims to deliver a real-world range of 95km in Eco Mode and 85km in Sport mode.
For reference, the Ather 450 has a 3.3kW/5.4kW (continuous/peak power) motor with an 80kph claimed top speed. The bike maker claims a range of 55-75km, depending on the riding mode. Torque on the Ather stands at 20.5Nm as compared to the 16Nm produced by the new Chetak.
Bajaj is also offering a warranty of three years/50,000kms on the IP67-rated battery. The charge time on the Chetak is a claimed 5hr for 100 percent and 1hr for 25 percent. Charging will be provided with the scooter and the installation will be carried out by a trained technician at the customer’s house.
Bajaj has equipped the Chetak e-scooter with features like ‘feather touch’ switchgear, full-LED lighting and digital console. In addition, the company has used high-quality materials on the mirror stalks, side stand and pillion foot pegs, further underlining its premium positioning. The Chetak will also come with a one year free subscription of internet data that will allow users to access the scooter’s charge status, location and remaining range via the mobile phone application, even when you're not with your bike.
The closest rivals to the Chetak will be Ather’s 450 and 450X – as the former is currently priced at Rs 1.14 lakh (on-road, Bengaluru).
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
